[09/27/12 - 10:09 AM]TNT Books Second Season of Cable's #1 New Drama, "Major Crimes"The second season is scheduled to roll out in summer 2013.

[via press release from TNT]

TNT Books Second Season of Cable's #1 New Drama, "Major Crimes"

TNT has renewed its hit original series Major Crimes, the year's #1 new cable drama. TNT has ordered 15 episodes of the Warner Bros. Television crime drama, which features two-time Oscar(R) nominee Mary McDonnell leading an outstanding ensemble cast. Major Crimes currently airs Mondays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on TNT, with the first season finale slated for mid-October and the second season scheduled to roll out in summer 2013.

"With Major Crimes, James Duff and his amazing production team have crafted an incredibly entertaining show that not only honors the spirit of The Closer, but also stands alone with its own voice and spirit," said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "Week after week, Major Crimes has drawn millions of fans with its combination of sharp writing and engaging characters brought to life by what can only be described as one of the best acting ensembles on television. We look forward to another season of this remarkable new drama."

With an audience of nearly 7 million viewers, Major Crimes ranks as cable's #1 new series for the year-to-date. It also holds position as one of basic cable's Top 3 new dramas with key adult demos, averaging 1.6 million adults 18-49 and 2.1 million adults 25-54. Among all original series on cable, Major Crimes ranks third behind TNT's The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles for the quarter-to-date. In addition, the series' Aug. 13 premiere audience of 9.5 million viewers set a new record as basic cable's most-watched series launch ever.

With the renewal of Major Crimes, TNT has now gone three-for-three when it comes to ordering second seasons of its new scripted dramas. The network previously renewed its hit primetime drama Dallas, which brought together iconic stars from the original series with a new generation of cast members. More recently, TNT renewed the crime drama Perception, starring Eric McCormack.

About Major Crimes

TNT's all-new drama series Major Crimes takes television's favorite squad of detectives into bold new territory. Two-time Oscar(R) nominee Mary McDonnell stars in the series, continuing her Emmy(R)-nominated role from The Closer, along with G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Michael Paul Chan, Raymond Cruz, Phillip P. Keene, Kearran Giovanni and Graham Patrick Martin, with guest stars Robert Gossett, Jon Tenney and Jonathan Del Arco. In Major Crimes, McDonnell plays Captain Sharon Raydor, who leads the Major Crimes unit of the L.A.P.D. The series follows Raydor and her squad of detectives as they work to solve high-profile cases and secure airtight convictions.

Major Crimes is produced by The Shephard/Robin Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The Closer's James Duff, Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin, and Rick Wallace serve as executive producers on the new series.

About TNT

TNT, one of the top-rated cable networks, is television's destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Falling Skies, Dallas, Perception, Major Crimes, Franklin & Bash, Leverage, Southland and the upcoming Monday Mornings. The network also features dramatic unscripted originals like the upcoming Boston's Finest (working title), 72 Hours (working title) and The Hero (working title). In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like Castle, The Mentalist, Bones and Supernatural; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R); blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.